Former 49ers great Dwight Clark, known for 'The Catch,' dies at 61 after battle with ALS

Dwight Clark (l.) and Jerry Rice walk together on the field before the "Legends of Candlestick" flag football game in San Francisco. (Eric Risberg / AP)

Dwight Clark, the former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver who hauled in a Joe Montana pass for the winning score in the waning seconds of the the 1981 NFC Championship Game between San Francisco and the Dallas Cowboys, an iconic snapshot that became known as "The Catch," died Monday after battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Clark was 61.

Clark's wife Kelly announced his death on Dwight's official Twitter account Monday.

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"I'm heartbroken to tell you that today I lost my best friend and husband. He passed peacefully surrounded by many of the people he loved most. I am thankful for all of Dwight's friends, teammates and 49ers fans who have sent their love during his battle with ALS. Kelly Clark," the tweet said.

When the 49ers and Cowboys squared off at Candlestick Park in San Francisco January 10, 1982, Dallas was still known as "America's Team," coached by the legendary Tom Landry. The Cowboys were up 27-21 in the fourth quarter when Montana and the 49ers got the ball back with just under five minutes to play. Montana, the Hall of Fame signal caller and four-time Super Bowl champ, led his team downfield to the Cowboys' six-yard line.

With 58 seconds left on the clock, Montana took the snap on third down, but was flushed to his right by Cowboys defensive end Ed (Too Tall) Jones and linebacker D.D. Lewis. Montana lofted the ball over the Cowboys' pass rushers -- which also included Larry Bethea -- and a leaping Clark snagged the pass over a helpless Everson Walls, the Dallas cornerback. Clark spiked the ball after his TD tied the game. The 49ers kicked the extra point to take the lead.

Famed Sports Illustrated photographer Walter Iooss Jr. captured the iconic Clark catch on film, one of the most famous NFL photos in the history of the game, and legendary Dodgers announcer Vin Scully made the call on CBS. The 49ers advanced to play the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI and San Francisco won, 26-21. Clark won two Super Bowl rings with the Niners.

Dwight Clark was born in North Carolina on Jan. 8, 1957 and played college football at Clemson. Bill Walsh, the late 49ers coach, drafted Clark in the 10th round of the 1979 draft. Clark played his entire career with the 49ers, retiring after the 1987 season.

After he was diagnosed with ALS, the condition commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, Clark made an appearance last year at Levi's Stadium -- the new home of the Niners -- and asked the home crowd for their support.

"I think you all know I'm going through a little thing right now, and I need your prayers and thoughts," Clark told the crowd in halted speech.